Chinese startups launch AI assistants inspired by Meta Muse

Meta’s personal AI assistant Muse has inspired Chinese startups to develop similar proactive assistants, but these independent companies face major challenges with computing costs, user retention, and platform access restrictions. Large domestic competitors like ByteDance and Alibaba are offering free alternatives while implementing protocol restrictions that block automated actions across popular superapps. Startups are responding by narrowing their initial ambitions, focusing on specific functions or targeted user groups, and seeking ways to secure revenue before expanding. Open article →